April, 2025
Young woman invades field of males
Her dreams are on track
Portia Maposse is a young black woman who is gradually invading a traditionally male-dominated field.
The 25-year-old is a systems engineer at the Gibela Rail Transport Consortium in Nigel, Gauteng. Gibela is a black economic empowerment (BEE) rail transport consortium comprising Alstom and uBumbano Rail.
It was established in 2013, as a ring-fenced company to build new trains for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA). This contract is meant to deliver 600 trainsets to PRASA and provide technical support and related services.
She joined Gibela in 2023 as a process manufacturing engineering intern and worked her way up to becoming a systems engineer in 2024, bringing her dream to fruition.
“The journey started at the technical high school I attended where I chose the mechanical technology stream. Then at the University of South Africa (UNISA) I pursued Mechanical Engineering,” she told SAnews.
SAnews visited the consortium’s train manufacturing facility in Dunnottor, Nigel, in celebration of the Decade of the Artisan with special focus on female artisans.
According to the Department of Higher Education and Training, the campaign aims to encourage more young people (high school learners and unemployed youth) to see artisanship as a career of choice.
Asked about her feelings in working in what is considered a male-dominated industry, she said: “Women are now leading in the industry. Always keep in mind that results matter and that women are more powerful.”
Gibela has a staff compliment of over 1 200 with women making 43% of the workforce. – Source SAnews.gov.za
Bust nets R50-million worth of Tik
Cops achieve major success
THE confiscation of crystal meth worth R50-million and smashing a major hijacking syndicate are just two of the recent successes of the SA Police Service’s (SAPS) Operation Shanela.
In the past week 13 633 suspects were arrested through this multidisciplinary operation.
“With high visibility patrols, stop and searches and the tracing of wanted suspects, we are hard at work in stamping the authority of the state,” SAPS said in a statement.
During a massive drug bust R50-million worth of crystal meth, more commonly known as Tik, were confiscated in Aliwal North in the Eastern Cape.
Another major success was the interception of a truck and car hijacking syndicate in which four suspects were arrested. In this case, numerous truck trailers, vehicle parts, heavy-duty machinery, forklifts, and copper plates all valued at R10 million were discovered at a farm in Ventersdorp in the North West.
In other arrests across the country a total of 137 suspects were arrested for murder, with the majority of these in KwaZulu-Natal (32).
Additionally, 259 suspects were arrested for rape, 95 of the arrests were made in KwaZulu-Natal and 220 drug dealers were arrested in the past week with the majority of these in the Western Cape (57).
The police also recovered 131 firearms and 1510 rounds of ammunition.
Additionally, a joint operation conducted by Gauteng Counterfeit Unit, Vispol, Commercial Crime unit, Brand Protectors, and border police resulted in the seizure of counterfeit and illicit goods including clothing, consumables, toys and cellphone accessories worth over R35 million. – Source: SAnews.gov.za
Firefighters do it in full gear
A run for your money
THEY will be fighting fire with fire on Sunday, 6 April.
Four brave firefighters and a former rugby star will be taking on the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon on Sunday to raise much needed funds for the Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS).
City of Cape Town firefighters Jermaine Carelse and Renaldo Duncan and their counterparts from VWS, Liam Gannon and Thomas Lennon, will be joined by South African rugby legend James Dalton when they take on this year’s half marathon year’s. Their aim is to raise at least R500 000.
The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) and SANParks firefighting teams work tirelessly to preserve the TMNP, while the municipality’s Fire & Rescue teams lend a helping hand when wildfires threaten the coastline.
“However, we couldn’t do it without the selfless efforts of the VWS. This incredible organization relies on volunteer members who risk their lives to combat wildfires. When disaster strikes, VWS volunteers spring into action, providing critical support to contain runaway veld fires.
“To ensure VWS can continue their vital work, they need our financial support. That’s where you come in, Cape Town,” said Smith.
The firefighters will be taking on the half marathon in full firefighting gear, including breathing apparatus and oxygen tanks! To support VWS, they’re asking people to donate just R21 towards a much-needed vehicle replacement.
Visit www.vws.org.za to learn how to contribute.
“Let’s rally behind these heroes and help protect our beloved city’s natural beauty!” Sources: www.vws.org.za and JP Smith via Facebook
SARS is a 'national treasure'
Record revenue for SA
A NATIONAL TREASURE.
This is how the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Edward Kieswetter, described the organisation at a media briefing on Tuesday, 1 April.
Kieswetter announced during the briefing a preliminary gross revenue collection of some R2.3 trillion as at the end of March, representing a year-on-year growth of 6.9%.
Preliminary net revenue results totalled R1.855 trillion with refunds totalling some R447.7 billion.
“Net revenue of R1.8551 trillion is a growth of R114 billion higher, a growth of 6.6% against the prior year and exceeds the revised estimate by R8.8 billion. Which is, we believe in the current environment, a very credible outcome delivered by SARS,” he said.
Kieswetter emphasised that the results are due to the diligent work delivered by the revenue services’ 13 000 workers.
The Commissioner described the revenue service as a “national treasure” in making sure that South Africa’s democracy is funded. – Source: SAnews.gov.za